Platelet E-News: January 21, 2011

This e-newsletter is a monthly publication of the Platelet Disorder Support Association. The information in this newsletter is for educational purposes only. For advice on your unique medical condition, please consult a health care professional.

ITP Research and Treatments

TPO AGENTS IMPROVE IMMUNE FUNCTIONING

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a type of white blood cell, help control the autoimmune response. In a surprising finding, the thrombopoietin agents, eltrombopag, romiplostim, and AKR5 01, improved the Treg profile of a small group of treated ITP patients compared to healthy controls and those diagnosed with ITP before they had any treatment. It is unclear how these TPO agents improved the immune system, but this may explain why some patients on these treatments go into remission and can discontinue therapy.

SWEDISH COMPANY GETS FULL DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR NEW ITP TREATMENT

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) and Symphogen co-developed rozrolimupab (SYM001), a polyclonal composed of 25 different antibodies to Rhesus D (anti-D), to be used for the treatment of ITP and prevention of hemolytic disease in newborns. Now Sobi has returned full development rights to Symphogen for this product. The phase II clinical trial for the use of SYM001 in ITP is enrolling patients.

LOW-DOSE RITUXIMAB PLUS ALENMTUZUMAB FOUND HELPFUL

When single treatments fail, physicians often try combinations, in this study the combination of a low-dose, 100mg, of rituximab (Rituxan) once weekly for four weeks plus 10mg of alemtuzumab (Campath) on the first three days. Alemtuzumab is used in the treatment of some leukemia and lymphoma patients and has shown promise in treating other autoimmune diseases. Of the 19 patients in the study (11 with ITP, 8 with immune hemolytic anemia) 58% had a complete response that lasted from 16 to 89 weeks. However, six people developed infections.

IMMATURE PLATELET COUNT MAY SEPARATE LEUKEMIA FROM ITP

Researchers calculated the immature platelet percent (IPF%) and number (IPF#) for100 healthy children and 87 children who had various low-platelet diseases. They found the IPF% was low in those children with bone marrow production problems and high in children with ITP, representing increased platelet turnover in the ITP group. Children with acute lymphocytic leukemia also had high IPF%, but only children with ITP had a low number of immature platelets (IPF#). The authors suggest that the number and percent of immature platelets can help separate ITP from other low-platelet diseases.

Hospitals, Insurance, and Medical Care

RARE DISEASE RESEARCH GETS A BOOST

The prestigious Institute of Medicine of the National Academies released a consensus report, Rare Diseases and Orphan Products: Accelerating Research and Development, to help guide policymakers in addressing the challenges of rare disease research. To assist the millions of people diagnosed with a rare disease, this 350-page report, supported by the NIH and FDA, suggests an integrated approach to rare diseases involving government, industry, academia, and non-profits, along with the establishment of a new task force within the Department of Health and Human Services.

SCIENTIFIC TRUTHS: DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE

The scientific method is coming under increased scrutiny as many research studies are contradicted by further research, making it difficult to know what to believe. Sometimes, to their dismay, scientists are unable to replicate their own research. This phenomenon is exaggerated by “significance chasing”, looking for the data within a dataset that is most important, and the desire for journals to publish the most exciting, positive results.

General Health and Medicine

MORE SUGAR FOUND IN SODA

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is thought to contribute to obesity and diabetes. In the past, it was assumed that HFCS used in sodas contained 55% fructose, a type of sugar. However, in a controlled analysis from an independent laboratory, researchers found that the HFCS used in several major brands of soda contained 65% fructose and that the total sugar content was up to 128% more than what was listed on the label.

SCENTED PRODUCTS EMIT HARMFUL ODORS

More than 100 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including some that are considered toxic or hazardous, were found in scented consumer products such as air fresheners, dryer sheets, soaps, detergents, and shampoos. This was also true for some labeled green, organic, or natural. Each product tested emitted at least one and as many as eight hazardous chemicals. Nearly half of the products released at least one carcinogenic chemical. These dangerous compounds were not listed on the product labels.

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IMPORTANT!

The Platelet Disorder Support Association does not provide medical advice or endorse any medication, vitamins or herbs. The information contained herein is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, discontinuing an existing treatment and to discuss any questions you may have regarding your unique medical condition.